National Leader of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has defended the party internal presidential selection process, insisting that former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke was properly screened and fairly chosen as the party’s candidate through established procedures.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS On Thursday, Baba-Ahmed said Duke went through all required stages of the party’s nomination process, including screening and consensus-building discussions among aspirants.
“Donald Duke applied to join the party like everybody else he complied with all the processes, including the screening of candidates.”
He explained that Duke participated in a structured selection process involving three southern aspirants. “At the time, the consensus, the attempt to create a consensus meeting, we called a meeting of three persons, all of them from the southern part of the country.”
Baba-Ahmed said Duke was not absent from the process, as he joined discussions virtually. “They consented, and he spoke throughout with them on phone. They interacted with each other.”
He stressed that physical absence did not invalidate participation, adding that Duke met all party requirements for nomination and selection. “That is good enough for the party, and it’s good enough for the other contestants. And so being absent physically is not a breach of either rules or regulations or etiquettes.”
Baba-Ahmed explained that the selection outcome reflected a transparent voting process within the party. “And the results, the return of the results, showed that he got more votes than the other contestants. The PRP is one of the very few parties that is meticulous in respecting rules and regulations.”
He added that the party remains committed to internal democracy and strict adherence to its rules, stressing that no aspirant could bypass due process. “We are a principled party.”
Baba-Ahmed also noted that while some individuals had raised objections. “There’s still the step that those who are aggrieved can actually take the issue up with the petitions committee.”
He maintained that Donald Duke met all requirements and remained the party’s. “As far as we speak now, Governor Donald Duke complied with every requirement.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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